iTunes Error Number Explanations

It is a fact of life when owning an iPhone or iPad you will eventually experience the dreaded iTunes error, thankfully most of the iTunes errors you experience can be found listed in Apple's Knowledge Base however some of the explanations and resolutions are vague and do not really help you in your attempts to correct the error you have experienced. Errors appear when you are upgrading or restoring over a USB connection via iTunes.

If you have received a “This device cannot be restored Error XXX” message from iTunes, you have now been forced to undertake some googling research to begin understanding why you are experiencing the error number shown in iTunes. At iTech Repair we know this causes frustration, let us offer some detailed pointers for the error numbers and an estimation of how easy they are to repair so you don’t have to spend hours researching for solutions by yourself.

We are here to help our technicians at iTech Repair are experienced in recovery of devices which experience errors in iTunes. In some cases errors can easily be repaired at home, however others many either require replacement hardware parts or in serious cases specialist board level repair, and in the worst cases the device can not be repaired at all as it is related to catastrophic hardware failure.

iTunes Errors Can They Be Fixed Easily?

iTunes Error Can Be Repaired

This icon means in many cases it is possible for a simple repair if you see this error code, the problem is usually related to an issue with USB connectivity to your computer, or an issue with virus software or a firewall blocking iTunes.

iTunes Error Can Normally Be Repaired

This icon means in many cases it is possible for a simple repair, if you see this type of error code you may require replacement spare parts to be fitted to the iPhone to facilitate a complete repair.

iTunes Error Hardware Fault

This icon means the error code relates to a hardware problem, in the majority of cases to repair the device it will require replacement parts or in more serious cases the device can be beyond economical repair due to catastrophic hardware failures.

Error 1

Try using a different USB port and restart computer. The installed version of iTunes may be too old, update iTunes.

Error -1

Error occurs when one uses the "last ditch" method for preventing baseband updates on the iPhone. The baseband does not get updated using this method. Use FixRecovery to kick it out of recovery mode.

Unable to enter download mode, try using a different USB port and restarting the computer.

Error 9

Due to ASR being patched, the SHA signature is automatically changed and after being resigned the kernel will refuse to use it. Therefore proper kernel patches are required. If necessary kernel patches are not applied, it will fail to load ASR and error 9 would occur during restore. Rebooting your PC may resolve this issue. Also it can be connection issue.

Error 10

LLB is missing from the IPSW. The device cannot be booted up.

Error 11

Removed baseband firmware file in the firmware folder of an unzipped IPSW.

Error 13

Can signify a USB problem. Check the USB connection and try other direct USB ports or maybe the USB cable is faulty.

Also happens when you want to install a beta firmware with iTunes for Windows (actively blocked by Apple; beta users are developers and therefore must have a Mac).

Error 14

Possible USB Problem. Check the USB connection and try other direct ports or maybe the USB cable is faulty.

Custom firmware update fail (PwnageTool). You will have to restore the device with a custom firmware. Update to a custom firmware isn't working. Device isn't bootable.

Error 17

Custom firmware update fail (sn0wbreeze). You will have to restore the device with a custom firmware.

Error 18

Occurs when the media library on the device is corrupt and can not be modified or updated. Updating to the latest version of iTunes and then restoring normally resolves this issue.

Error 20

Reportedly happens during failed downgrade attempts, some have seen success afterwards by doing the downgrade from DFU mode instead of the normal Recovery mode.

Error 21

Error when using Sauriks server for a restore with iOS 5.x in the Recovery mode at least on a A5 device. This error can also happen when you try to restore an iPod with hardware DFU. Use iREB r5 to solve this, or you are trying to update to a beta firmware without UDID activation.

Error 23

Baseband communication error, usually the baseband chip is faulty.

Error 26

False version of the NOR flash firmware. Use the correct sn0wbreeze version.

Error 27

modified the restore.plist so it would flash and also exchanged RestoreRamDisk and kernel cache. restore the original iOS.

Error 28

The problem is a bad dock connector on the iPhone. Have the connector changed.

Error 29

Have the battery changed.

Error 31

DFU Loop sometimes during the restore with a corrupt IPSW iTunes will return error 31. Only solution is to restore a working firmware.

Error 34

Hard disk has run out of space when trying to download. Clear space and then continue downloading.

This is caused by a failure to match the Baseband Nonce currently in memory to the Nonce returned in the BasebandFirmware SHSH blob. This is a normal part of iPhone 4 local restores via TinyUmbrella.

Error 1011

The file iTunesMobileDevice.dll is damaged or updated.

Error 1013

Restart computer; change computer; reinstall system, if iPhone is always in restoring mode: XP users can jump from restoring mode with ibus; MAC users can use iNdependence. (usually on the iPhone with 1.0.2 firmware downgraded from 1.1.1)

Error 1014

This error is down to itunes not liking your USB ports on your computer. Use a different USB slot or a different computer if possible. That is the easiest fix!

Error 1015

Restart computer; change computer; reinstall system, if iPhone is always in restoring mode: XP users can jump from restoring mode with ibus; MAC users can use iNdependence. (usually on the iPhone with 1.1.1 firmware downgraded from 1.1.2) Baseband firmware on the IPSW is higher than the baseband firmware on the iPad/iPhone.

Error 1050

Bad response from gs.apple.com OR need iREB for preparing the device for restoring to custom IPSW

Error 1394

When Spirit2Pwn flashes parts of the boot chain on iOS 4, the device may crash into DFU Mode.

Custom firmware can't be restored on a device with DFU Mode. Use Recovery Mode.

Error 1601

Completely remove iTunes and Apple Mobile Device support and then reinstall iTunes

Error 1602

Restart computer; change computer; reinstall system.

Error 1603

False kernelcache patch. Known on damaged bundles from unofficial PwnageTool distributions or bundles. See also Apple KB article

Error 1604

Device was not pwned (signature checks were not blocked). Custom firmware can't be restored.

Error 1611

iTunes tried to enter the Restore Mode, but the device turned back to the Recovery Mode.

Error 1618

Missing system files or corrupt data in iTunes installation. Try to uninstall iTunes, restart computer, install again. This error also occurs for iTunes in Windows 8 for reasons currently unknown.

Error 1619

iTunes is too old and couldn't read the iPhone in Recovery or DFU Mode. Please update iTunes and try it again.

Error 1644

IPSW was moved during prepare with iTunes. Try it again and don't move the IPSW.

Error 1646

iTunes expected the device to be in a different state (Example: booted into iOS rather than jumping to iBEC).

Error 2001

The Mac OS X kernel extension "IOUSBFamily" that was bundled with late 2008 / early 2009 MacBooks, has a bug where it fails to properly recognize an iDevice in DFU Mode. It can be resolved by updating to 10.5.7 (or later), or using a USB hub.

Error 2002

iTunes can't connect because another program is using it or it's disconnected during the Apple Server check.

Error 2003

Connection problem; change USB cable and check USB port.

Error 2005

Problem connecting. Probably a hardware failure.

Somebody reported that reinstalling the USB drivers fixed the problem.

Error 2006

Replace the USB cable with a newer one and/or disconnect all other USB devices, then retry.

Error 2009

remove all USB devices and spare cables other than your keyboard, mouse, and the device, restart the computer, and try to restore.

Error 3XXX

iTunes can't connect to gs.apple.com. Maybe Port 80 and Port 443 is blocked. Open it on your router.

Error 3002

Update to an older firmware isn't working, because Apple is no longer handing out SHSHs for the device/firmware combination.

Error 3004

No internet connection during the firmware restore.

Error 3014

False edited hosts. The SHSH request couldn't be completed. No connection to the Apple Server, Sauriks Server or localhost.

Error 3123

Something dealing with movie rentals.

Error 3194

Right-click on QuickTimePlayer.exe choose Properties from the shortcut menu click on the Compatibility tab. Deselect the checkbox labeled “Run this program in compatibility mode for..

Error 3194

Occurs when trying to install an old firmware and Apple's server disallows the installation. The only solution is to have SHSH backup and modify the hosts file to point to Saurik's Cydia server where they are backed up (or localhost if you have it yourself).

Error 3195

"An internal error occurred." Missing SHSH for the firmware. Maybe the same as "This device isn't eligible for the request build." but with an cache error.

Error -3198

Error downloading, try again. or This device isn't eligible for the requested build.

Error 3200

You are trying to update to iOS 5, when infact, the IPSW file has only a Restore Ramdisk.

Error -3259

Connection timeout, try again.

Error -5000

There is a problem with the permissions of the Mobile Application folder. The App you've tried to download in iTunes couldn't be saved.

You're trying to access a section or a functionality that is not available in your country, for example iCloud in some countries.

Error 13019

Seems to be an issue with syncing media to the device.It only seems to happen on jailbroken devices. Create new user, try syncing with new user's library.

Need restore the device....

Error 20000

Is caused by a custom theme pack on Windows. Use default theme.

0xE8000001

Device was suddenly unplugged. iTunes could not connect with the device. Try again.

0xE8000022

Error in your firmware files, download again and restore.0xE8008001

IPA signature verification failed.

0xE800003D

False permissions in the Carrier Bundle folder. restore, update or fix the permissions from the carrier bundle to update the carrier settings via iTunes.

0xE800006B

Device was suddenly unplugged. iTunes could not connect with the device. Try it again.

0xE8000065

Custom firmware error on USB connection. Unplug the device, reboot it, and plug it in again.

Do not worry if you are unable to repair your iTunes error codes, one of our experienced technicians will be more than happy to offer you a free diagnostic service, to book your iPhone in with us or if you have any questions please give us a call on 0845 474 4728 or use our Contact Us page to so we can get your iPhone fixed.

Loves playing with new gadgets and tinkering with technology ranging from repairing vintage telephones to programming on the Raspberry Pi, and of course fixing all the broken things! Interests include playing Minecraft, Fishkeeping, PC gaming and exploring virtual reality with the Oculus Rift.